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New owners reimagine West Linn pub

'We wanted to make it for them, not just what we wanted,' new owner Rebecca Vanderbout said

Over the past month and a half, Happy Valley couple Rebecca and Scott Vanderbout have been transforming Cask N' Keg, a popular restaurant and bar on Willamette Drive, into Robinwood Public House.

The Vanderbouts, who had contemplated opening a tap house or pub for a while, bought Cask N 'Keg in early August. The couple was thinking of their ideal pub when a broker helped them find Cask N' Keg, which seemed like the right fit.

"We wanted something family friendly," Rebecca Vanderbout said. "Something in a neighborhood where we could be part of the community, not just a bar where you go for night life."

"We weren't sure what name we wanted, so I had done some West Linn research," Rebecca Vanderbout said. After learning about the importance of neighborhood's to the West Linn community, they decided Robinwood Public House would make a good name for the pub located at the heart of the Robinwood neighborhood.

In addition to the name change, the Vanderbouts also updated the restaurant's menu and hired some new staff (they retained some staff from Cask N' Keg as well). Foodwise, the new owners added more vegan and vegetarian options.

"We asked the community and people who came in what they would like to see on the menu, so that's why we decided to go the way we did go," Rebecca Vanderbout said. "We wanted to make it for them, not just what we wanted."

The owners said they want the pub to be integrated into the community. To signify this goal, Rebecca Vanderbout said the pub will be West Linn-themed. She said she plans to put up historical West Linn photos throughout the restaurant.

Robinwood Public House has 30 taps with mostly local beer, cider and wine, plus taps for kombucha and a draft root beer. For cocktail fans, the pub also has a full bar.